Communications Technologist 1

Job Overview:

 
This position performs a wide variety of advanced technical assignments related to the installation, maintenance, and repair of over one thousand two-way radios and other communications and electronic test equipment located in department vehicles, field offices and mountain top sites throughout the state. Duties include analyzing, troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining a variety of hand-held, mobile, fixed-base and mobile relay (repeater) communications equipment; developing and implementing equipment installation strategies for the statewide communications network and for wildland fires and other incidents; developing and conducting radio operator training courses; providing technical assistance and direction in the use of communications equipment; developing equipment documentation such as user manuals and repair and maintenance protocols; and maintaining inventory tracking and record keeping systems. The position reports to the Communications Engineer and does not supervise others. Travel up to 50%- Routine travel and attendance for work in Missoula should be expected, as well as regular travel in support of the DNRC statewide communication infrastructure.

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities):  These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent.

Communication Equipment Maintenance And Repair
Analyze, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain a variety of hand-held, mobile, fixed base and mobile relay (repeater) communications equipment located in administrative and specialized fire suppression vehicles and equipment, fire lookouts, remote mountain sites, and department offices to support the statewide communications system and provide communications between department personnel, dispatch centers, department offices, and other incident activities. These communications systems allow the transfer of critical information necessary in providing safety for department personnel, for the suppression efforts of wildland fires, and forestry and water resource conservation activities. These duties require knowledge of the principles of electronics and electronic repairs; computers including microprocessor theory, software, personal computers, specialized computer devices, electronic programmable memory, and components; radio frequency (RF) energy and wave propagation, standing wave ratio (SWR), and intermodulation and electronics theories; communications systems, devices and equipment; standard testing procedures; radio frequency programming and communications diagnostic programs; Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations; industry standards and department guidelines; fire suppression methods, procedures, communications requirements, equipment and vehicles and their respective functions. The work also requires skill in the use of various hand and power tools, specific communications related service and diagnostic instruments, electronic test instruments, soldering equipment and various OSHA approved safety harnesses and tower climbing equipment; and the ability to read and interpret technical schematics, service manuals and specification sheets, and to interpret results obtained from service/test equipment and apply the information towards the design and implementation of expedient, cost effective repair solutions.

Equipment Installation And Incident Support
Develop and implement equipment installation strategies for the statewide communications network and for wildland fire and other incidents to provide radio communications between the Incident Command Post and fire suppression personnel and aircraft operating in remote or isolated areas. 

Training, Technical Assistance, And Documentation
Develop and conduct radio operator training courses, provide technical assistance and direction in the use of communications equipment, and develop equipment documentation such as user manuals and repair and maintenance protocols to ensure department personnel are qualified to operate various portable, mobile, and fixed-base two-way radios in a safe, effective, and approved manner, and to ensure accurate documentation of equipment operation, maintenance, and repair procedures. 

Inventory and Recordkeeping
Develop and maintain inventory tracking and record-keeping systems to maintain adequate inventory levels to support bureau operations, track and monitor equipment and supply usage, and provide information for program planning and budgeting. 

APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE: 

State Application Cover Letter Resume

Benefits:

Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage Retirement Plans Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF. Look here, to learn more and see if you may qualify

*If you are interested in a complete job description please contact HR at Stacey.Gabrio@mt.gov.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
The required knowledge, skills and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of two (2) years of education in Electronics Technology and two (2) years of related experience including two-way radio communications and fire suppression support; and completion of basic firefighter and fire safety training.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities: 
The position requires knowledge of the principles and practices of electronics including electronic theories and their specific application to radio communications; various aspects of two-way communications and radio frequency theories including wave propagation, intermodulation, noise and site interference, standing wave ratio, signal strength and signal loss; discrete electronic components; linear integrated circuit (chip), electronic programmable memory (RAM, ROM, EEPROM etc.) and microprocessor technologies, components, devices, theories and proper storage, handling and soldering requirements ; surface mount/integrated circuit technology ; communications systems and equipment such as transmitters, receivers, duplexers, amplifiers, isolators and filters, tone encoders/decoders, consoles and other remote control devices; antenna systems, theories and peripheral equipment; standard testing procedures, troubleshooting and repair techniques; industry measurement level tolerances and standards. The position also requires knowledge of Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations; department flight safety and operational procedures and policies; ICS protocols and procedures; technical writing and documentation; department training guidelines; fire suppression methods, procedures, and communications requirements; DNRC inventory and purchasing policies and procedures; product and component research and testing methods and procedures; record keeping systems; business English, grammar, and punctuation; and OSHA standards concerning maximum permissible exposure to RF radiation, RF site hazards, such as electrical shock, RF contact currents, lightning protection and DC arcs, confined space standards, falls, heat stress and exposure to cold and personal protective equipment, and tower climbing safety.

The position requires skill in the use of various hand and power tools, general soldering equipment, surface mount technology (SMT) soldering/de-soldering stations and equipment and high-wattage guns, climbing safety equipment such as ropes, harnesses and pulley systems; fire and flight related personal protective equipment; operation of radio communications equipment; communications test equipment including service monitors, spectrum analyzers, frequency counters, signal noise and distortion (sinad) meters; electronics test equipment such as: volt/ohm meter, rf volt meters; office equipment such as telephones, facsimile machines, copiers, type writers, printers and the state telephone network ; personal computers; radio communications programming and diagnostic software; vendor specific radio programming, editing and engineering software. 

The position requires the ability to: read and understand electronic schematics, service manuals, specification and data sheets; analyze technical problems and data obtained from diagnostic test equipment; develop troubleshooting strategies and efficient, cost effective repair solutions; design and build circuits and hardware to modify radio equipment for a specific application; climb and work on antenna support structures; bend, kneel, stoop, crouch or work in confined spaces for long periods of time; lift equipment in excess of 50 lbs.: sit and perform detailed work for long periods of time; work and travel alone to remote sites without supervision; maintain working relationship with department employees, public and peers; communicate orally and in writing; and obtain valid Montana driver’s license. The position also requires the ability to operate four wheel drive vehicles and snowmobiles; communications service monitor; spectrum analyzer; frequency counter; (RF) multi-meter; (sinad) meter; SWR /Watt meter; Field Strength meter; Volt/Ohm meter (VOM); oscilloscopes, transistor tester; RMS volt meter; variable and fixed power supplies; various battery conditioners and chargers; power inverters /converters; personal computers with various word processing and editing software packages; power drills, saws, and bench grinders.

Working Conditions:
The duties of this position are performed in a radio repair shop environment and outdoors. Shop duties require sitting for long periods of time while performing testing and repair of equipment; use of various chemicals that produce fumes, odors or vapors; and use of various power tools such as electric drills, saws etc. that present the possibility of electrical shock hazards and other physical safety concerns.

Outdoor work requires long distance travel to remote sites via state service vehicle, 4 x 4, snowmobile, helicopter, fixed wing aircraft or on foot. Travel to remote sites presents physically hazardous conditions as travel often occurs in mountainous terrain on unimproved roads or during adverse weather conditions. The requirement to climb towers, buildings or other antenna support structures and installing antennas on towers or roof tops presents physical hazards such as falling, exposure to high voltage electrical shock from local power lines, and shock or burns from RF Contact Currents and lightning. The use of high capacity batteries presents the possibility of shock from direct current (DC) arcs and the exposure to chemicals and fumes. The incumbent may be exposed to RF radiation that may exceed OSHA’s maximum permissible exposure (MPE) levels. Exposure to excessive radio frequency energy emissions or physical contact with exposed transmitter connections or components could cause RF burns or other severe physical trauma.

Installation of radios, antennas and other equipment involves bending, stooping, crouching, maneuvering and lifting equipment in confined spaces e.g., under vehicle dash boards, in trunks etc. for extended periods of time, and carrying heavy radio and test equipment ranging from moderate weight to in excess of 100 lbs. to sites. Radio equipment is often housed in Fire Lookouts or other small, enclosed structures in mountainous terrain that presents possible exposure to diseases or viruses associated with rodents. The technician often works alone at remote sites, which requires acute awareness of hazards and safety procedures.

The performance of technical duties in the wildland fire environment presents various physical hazards such as direct exposure to heat and smoke, travel in mountainous terrain or other hazardous conditions via vehicle or small aircraft. The technician must also travel long distances with communications command trailer in tow, to fire locations and be housed in primitive base camp conditions for long periods of time, often times sleeping in tents, which can produce physical stress or fatigue. A standard dispatch is 14 to 21 days.

SPECIAL INFORMATION: 
Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.

ELIGIBILITY TO WORK: 
In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card".

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